63 East Church Street, Xenia Ohio Priest s Page

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1 63 East Church Street, Xenia Ohio Upcoming Events: Assemble Easter Baskets March 6 Passion Sunday Rehearsal March 13 Vestry Meeting March 13 Shelter closes tentatively March 15 Saint Patrick s Day March 17 Caring Place - March 17 Heart and Hands March 19 11am-1pm Passion Sunday, March 20 Maundy Thursday, March 24, Seder Dinner 6PM Holy Eucharist 7PM Good Friday, March 25 - Liturgy 7PM Easter Sunday, March 27 In this issue: Ministry News Birthday/Annivs Vestry Minutes Upcoming Events Children s Corner Schedules Priest s Page Dear Friends, This month we encounter, once again, Resurrection Sunday Easter. This is the greatest feast in the church year; the holiest day. Christmas itself has meaning only because of Easter. With the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are restored to fullness in the life God always intended for us. We know that the power of God s love for us is the ultimate reality, borne out in the life of Jesus, and in his willingness to die. God never has and never will give up on us. We are children of the promise, as Paul wrote to his church in Rome, children formed by and in the love of God and called by God into relationship. It s for us to live lives of gratitude, because in all things and in every moment, we are loved by our God, to the heights and depths and breadth of our imagining. We are an Easter people, and so I pray a blessed Easter for you all, in the love and spirit of Jesus Christ- ML+ March 2016 Volume 7, Issue 3 Celebrate in Worship! 9:30 AM Easter Morning, March 27th March 20th March 25th Passion Sunday 9:30 AM +Liturgy of the Palms & Procession begins in the Parish Hall +Holy Eucharist with the reading of the Passion Narrative Maundy Thursday +6 PM Seder Meal Soup & Bread +7 PM Holy Eucharist, Footwashing, & Stripping of the Altar Good Friday +7 PM Good Friday Liturgy with Holy Communion

2 for February 14, 2016 Next Vestry Meeting is March 13th Welcome New Members and Orientation was presented by Mother Lynn. Pam F. called for a vote by acclamation that Tanya E-K remains as Clerk of the Vestry. Mother Lynn made a motion that we give the treasurer, Doug Pultz, a voice; Bradley A. seconded; motion passed unanimously. Bylaws are ready for congregational meeting/approval on April 3 Wedding Contract is acceptable as is; we ve received a wedding contract as well. Parking Lot data tabled until 3/2016 (Doug and Brad to follow up); we can t move forward until we get a civil engineer to look at traffic issues. Doug P. will contact Bob Geyer for advice. Christian E&F Mother Lynn reported we have people who are willing to help Cheryl E. teach our kids Clothes Closet Brad A. reported we are still receiving donations regularly and averaging 45 visitors Shelter Mark C. is stepping down after this year as shelter coordinator and recommends that Paula L. steps in as coordinator. Stewardship (Barbara B.) we received another pledge and we ll be building more sharing into the event, Worship (Dana R.) Vestry agreed that we like the music written by Joe Beal; Pam F. brought up that she wants to encourage hand holding during songs such as We Shall Overcome. Sr. Warden s Report Dana R. gave thanks for being elected. She discussed the Parochial Report. She discussed Lent. Jr. Warden s Report Barbara B. announced we have a new Buildings and Grounds team headed by Pete Sinnott. Problems should be reported to Pete. There are plans to renovate the bathrooms, and Pete would like for us to help create a wish list. Pam F. discussed purchasing the chest freezer and where to place it. Cheryl E. and Paula L. volunteered to police the freezer. Wardens, Mother Lynn, and Cheryl will discuss facility changes. Treasurer s Report - Doug P. will contact Diocese to find out procedure to handle trusts. He will be meeting with Becky about the Parochial Report. Doug P. made a motion to move $50,000 from checking account at Key bank to the account at Wright Patt; Pam F seconded; motion passed unanimously. Dana R. made a motion to accept the treasurer s report for audit; Barbara B. seconded; motion passed unanimously. Priest s Report Mother Lynn discussed the power point for annual meeting and it was decided the team leaders would send in their full report with highlighted bullet points for the power point. She discussed that there needs to be four outreach team projects formed by team, involving the congregation. This will be tabled for another meeting; there will be no team until we have volunteers. Mother Lynn is going on vacation for sixed weeks. Office will be closed from February 16th-26th to organize. After discussion, a motion was made by Pam F. to invite Paula Lowe to sit in on Vestry as an ex-officio member for one year, for the purpose of supporting her as she assumes the role of Shelter coordinator. Barbara Bonham seconded; motion passed, Spiritual Notes: Beauty appears to all in the same way, but is silent to one and speaks to the other.they understand it who compare the voice received on the outside with the truth that lies within. The Confessions of St. Augustine

3 News from the Ministries Outreach by Carol Conway Outreach Team/Parish Easter Project The Outreach team met on Wednesday, February 24 to discuss an Easter project and we need your help. Each quarter the Outreach team is presenting an opportunity for the Parish to participate in an Outreach project. This quarter it is an Easter basket project. We would like to fill 6 Easter baskets for 9-12 year olds as prizes to be given away after the Xenia Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26. We are asking you to select an egg or two. The eggs will contain the gifts that will go into the Easter baskets. We are putting the baskets together after church on Sunday, March 6. Mother Lynn said she wouldn t have a long sermon that day. We sure hope you can help us with this project for the kids. It will be fun to pick out some things to fill the basket and put them together as a parish. Thanks in advance for your help. Call for Medicine Bottles Do you take prescriptions? If you say no, I bet you are the exception! I have often thought about something to do with all these empty prescription bottles. Now we have an answer. We have been told about an organization called The Links Incorporated, which is an international organization located throughout the world and in 41 ofthe states. There is a chapter in Wilmington, Ohio. We are going to support a project that this chapter is involved in to help the poorest people throughout the world with their medications. In very poor countries, patients often walk long distances for medical help. They wait hours or days to be treated. They are given medication to tie in a scarf or put in a pocket to carry back to their homes. Few get containers that protect the medicine against accidents, dirt, liquids, or being eaten by animals. We can help by bringing our empty medicine bottles to the Center. We will have a collection box and the Links organization will get the bottles to another organization called Mathews 25 Ministries in Cincinnati who will see that they are sent where they are needed the most in the world. We will start the collection this month and continue it as long as there is interest. Birthdays 03 Dana Rhyne 04 Heather Holland Schroeder 07 Russell Walker 09 Elizabeth Clark 18 Jonathon Feinour 23 Pam Feinour 29 Summer Watts

4 Stewardship by Becky Gentry WELCOMING Jesus not only beckoned the little children to come unto Him, but He stretches His arms out to all. As His followers, we are also called to welcome everyone. How are we doing at Christ Church? God made each of us in His image and likeness and has chosen, in His wisdom, to fill our world with people who look, speak and act very differently. These people can be from different cultures and countries, even from different areas of our own great country. One of the greatest gifts we can offer as good stewards is a sincere welcome to someone different from ourselves. It costs us nothing, but the willingness to see the image of God in all others and respond in Christ-like love. Do you feel we are successful? "Rehearsal for the Passion Narrative will be held on Sunday, March 13. Mother Lynn will meet with everyone in the church immediately after Holy Eucharist." Artwork use permitted by: Sing Hallelujah to the Lord Let the words of my mouth And the meditations of my heart... My words are not my own - They are my Mother s. They are my Father s. For I learned from those who came before. When I sing, I do not just hear my voice, But I hear my mother s and my father s Singing with me, blending with my voice My soprano with a constant alto And baritone, who is sometimes a bass Leading with the bass, Comforting with the baritone, Always louder than I, Encouraging me to be louder. When I sing loud, I am trying to blend With that bellowing baritone in my head The one who led the songs in my childhood Sometimes I hear my Mammaw, the tenor Always encouraging... always supporting... My father says that his words are the Lord s Talking through him, God was leading his speech When he says something just... something right. I like to think my songs are my words When I sing something from the heart It comes from the Lord. by Tanya Ellenburg-Kimmet Artwork use permitted by:

5 News from the Ministries - continued First Fridays are upon us! BE THE CHURCH Protect the environment. Care for the poor. Forgive often. Reject Racism Fight for the Powerless. Share earthly and spiritual resources.embrace diversity. By Doug Pultz Love God. Enjoy this life. (United Church of Christ) Planning for First Fridays 2016 is underway. The theme for each month will be based off The United Church of Christ s slogan Be The Church. The theme for May 6 is Protect the Environment and Share Earthly Resources. With the help of the Green Team, we will have available for the guests at our tent: shopping bags, flyers for the home with green helpful hints, plants, seed packets, and garden books. The game for the evening will be Plinko. The theme for June 3 is Share Spiritual Resources. Our goal is to distribute the Good News Bible to our guests. The game for the evening is a beanbag toss. The theme for July 1 is Fight for the Powerless. Our goal is to distribute whirligigs and flyers about Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention. The game for the evening is a ring toss. The theme for August 5 is Forgive Often. Enjoy this Life. Our goal is to provide information/resources about forgiveness to those who visit our tent. The game for the evening is Duck Matching. The theme for September 2 is Fight for the Powerless. Care for the Poor. With the help of Paula Lowe and Mark Cummings, our goal is to provide information about and seek support for the upcoming homeless shelter. We will also continue to distribute coloring pages with a Biblical theme, church information, crosses, and have a prayer box available. Many thanks go to those who volunteered last year in the tent. Your energy, enthusiasm, and presence made all the difference. I look forward to seeing you in Xenia on first Fridays this summer, whether you are volunteering or simply enjoying the evening. One to One Clothes Closet In February Cheryl Allen and Brad Alexander started asking people to tell us good stories about how the clothes closet has helped them or someone they know. The following are a few of those stories: 1. A man was thankful for a suit and shirt to wear to his brother's wedding. 2. One of our homeless men found shoes (almost new) that fit him well. The shoes he had been wearing were held together with duct tape. 3. A homeless woman with shoes falling apart found good almost new tennis shoes that fit her well. 4. A woman with stage 4 cancer who had been beaten and robbed of everything she had including most of her clothes found clothing and shoes. We prayed with her. She is now staying at the shelter and seeking help with area agencies. 5. We shared with a shelter in Cincinnati that can only house 20 people. They have been turning people away. We gave them 10 sleeping bags which they gave to those they turn away. Volunteers were very grateful. 6. We were able to give a coat to a grade school refugee boy. 7. A homeless woman who recently left a physically abusive relationship asked for prayer. She is now at our shelter. Her bruises are almost healed. She found several clothing items and was very grateful. 8. A former heroine/meth user who has been clean for 5 years has thanked us several times for all we do for the community. 9. Thanks to several generous people we have been able to give away items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, small packs of tissues, combs, razors, shaving cream and socks to many people. - JoAnne Earley and Cheryl Allen

6 For those who are young, those who think they are young, those who feel young at heart, and those who aren t any of the above (nobody s looking Have some fun!) From Newsletternewsletter.com While Jesus was dying on the cross, who mocked him, saying, He saved others; he cannot save himself? A. Priests B. Scribes C. Elders D. All of the above Answer: D (See Matthew 27:41-42.) Bible Quiz

7 Meetings and Upcoming events March 6 Assemble Easter Baskets 13 Passion Sunday rehearsal 13 Vestry Meeting 17 Caring Place 20 Passion Sunday 9:30 am Palms, Passion Narrative & Holy Eucharist 24 Maundy Thursday 6 pm Seder Dinner, 7 pm Holy Eucharist 25 Good Friday 7 pm Liturgy of Good Friday 27 Easter Sunday - 9:30 am Festal Holy Eucharist for 2016 Easter Basket Giveaway! at this year s Xenia Easter Egg Hunt The Outreach Team is asking us to put together 6 baskets for 9-12 year olds for the Basket drawing after the Hunt. Pick an egg or two on Sun. Feb.28th Then bring your gift and come ready to fill baskets March 6th after Church If you are not on the mailing list or not receiving s, Tanya at cecxtanya@gmail.com Make sure any spam filters allow from cecxlist@googlegroups.com and cecxtanya@gmail.com Submissions: Anyone who wishes to submit anything for the Trumpet should do so ASAP. Deadline for submissions is March 20. Submit information by hand to Tanya or by ing it to cecxtanya@gmail.com.

8 Ministry 3/6 3/13 3/20 3/24 3/25 3/27 Worship Leader Altar Guild Lector Ushers ML ML ML ML ML ML Dana, Tanya Nancy, Pete JoAnne, Doug JoAnne, Becky Debbie, Barbara Elizabeth, JoAnne March Service Calendar 2016 Dana, Pam Mark, Pam Elizabeth, Tommy Dana, Tanya Becky, Tommy Brad, Claris JoAnne, Becky Tommy, Nancy Brad, Rick Dana, Pam Pete, Debbie JoAnne, Elizabeth Intercessor Dana Rick Doug Barbara Mark Dana Chalice Mark Pam Rick Debbie Barbara Kim Eucharistic Visitors Healing Prayer Ministers Vestry Member of the Week Dana (Bill) - - Jenny & Ruth Debbie & Doug Ruth & JoAnne - - Pam, JoAnne Pam Maxine Mark Carol Brad Tanya April Service Calendar 2016 Ministry 4/3 4/10 4/17 4/24 Worship Leader ML ML ML MP (Barbara) Altar Guild Ruth, Tanya JoAnne, Becky Dana, Pam Ruth, Tanya Lector Becky, Mark Pam, Barbara Tommy, Pete Ruth, Nancy, Debbie Ushers Elizabeth, Tommy Claris, Doug JoAnne, Elizabeth Brad, Rick Intercessor Debbie Rick Doug Dana Chalice Barbara Mark Pam - Eucharistic Visitors Healing Prayer Ministers Vestry Member of the Week - - Dana (Bill) - Jenny & Doug JoAnne & Ruth Debbie & Mark - Cheryl Barbara Maxine Mark